Metal containers for liquids or free-flowing materials

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a container (10) for liquids or free-flowing materials, with an inner container (20) with a wall (21) made of metal, a filling opening (22) and an outlet opening (23), wherein the wall (21) of the inner container (20) has a wall thickness of less than 1 mm and the inner container (20) is enclosed by a lattice structure (30) comprising rods (32, 34, 35, 36).

Containers which enable products to be transported safely are generally used for the targeted transport of products, in particular liquids or free-flowing materials, including hazardous substances or food. The containers have a large volume of 300 l or more, for example 1000 l, and are in particular known under the name IBC, i.e. intermediate bulk container. The known containers for liquids or free-flowing materials have a wall, a filling opening and an outlet opening. The wall of the container is made of metal, so that the container has a high long-term stability and is very easy to clean. Metal containers are particularly well suited for the transport of hazardous substances, since they have high bursting strength.

In order to be able to guarantee bursting strength and stability up to now, the known metal containers generally have a wall thickness of 1.5 mm or more. A container with a wall made of metal is desirable, and can be produced in a way that conserves resources.

The object of the invention is achieved with a container for liquids or free-flowing materials with the features of claim 1.

Advantageous configurations and developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The container according to the invention for liquids or free-flowing materials is characterized in that it comprises an inner container with a wall made of metal, a filling opening and an outlet opening, wherein the wall of the inner container has a wall thickness of less than 1 mm and the inner container is enclosed by a lattice structure comprising rods. Such a structure enables the advantages of durability and easy cleanability of a metal container to be retained, but on the one hand allows the forming of the wall of the metal container with a smaller wall thickness in order to reduce the consumption of higher quality material, and on the other hand continues to provide the desired stability and bursting strength to be able to ensure that the metal inner container is surrounded by a lattice structure, which can be made of lower quality material and which can maintain stability or bursting strength.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the wall thickness of the inner container is less than 0.8 mm, preferably approximately 0.7 mm or less. As a result, the material requirement for the metal inner container can be reduced further.

The wall of the inner container is preferably made of stainless steel, in particular of an austenitic steel or an austenitic alloy. Such materials lead to a particularly good cleanability of the inner container.

A particularly preferred development of the invention provides that the wall of the inner container has at least one bead in which a rod of the lattice structure can be arranged. This can improve the stability of the container, since the inner container can expand into the lattice structure.

The inner container is preferably designed with a bottom side, a cover side and in particular four side walls, the filling opening in particular being arranged in the cover side and the outlet opening in the bottom side. An approximately cuboidal configuration of the inner container can preferably result, which is particularly suitable for transport, since it can fill an existing volume better than, for example, barrel-like configurations.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, an outlet recess, in which the outlet opening is arranged, is arranged in the bottom side. This can allow the inner container to be emptied as completely as possible.

The outlet opening preferably comprises an outlet tap, in particular with a pivoting lever. This allows easy handling.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet tap is set back in the wall of the inner container. As a result, an arrangement of the outlet tap can be achieved in which the outlet tap does not protrude beyond the outer surface of the container, so that it is protected during transport.

The volume of the inner container is preferably 500 l to 3000 l.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the lattice structure is approximately cuboid. Such a configuration is particularly suitable for transport, since it can fill an existing volume better than, for example, barrel-like configurations.

The lattice structure preferably has a bottom element, which is designed in particular as a pallet. A bottom element, which can comprise flat sections, offers a particularly stable support for the inner container. If the bottom element is designed as a pallet, in particular as a transport pallet, for example as a standardized transport pallet such as the Europool pallet, it can be easily transported and moved, for example, with industrial trucks or forklifts.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bottom element has a recess in which the outlet recess of the inner container is arranged in particular in a form-fitting manner Such a recess can simplify the alignment of the inner container in the lattice structure and prevent the inner container from slipping in the lattice structure.

At least two, for example three to five, longitudinal rods are preferably arranged on the bottom element on each side, and are arranged with a first end on the bottom element, in particular screwed to it. A stable lattice structure can be achieved in this way. Screw connections enable the most distortion-free fixation possible and can enable a sufficiently stable fixation to enable desired bursting strengths.

The longitudinal rods are advantageously fixed relative to one another at a second end by a circumferential first transverse rod, wherein the first transverse rod is in particular screwed to the longitudinal rods. Such a first transverse rod can enable a frame-like construction.

According to a preferred development of the invention, parallel to the bottom element at least one, preferably two or more, tension rod(s) connect(s) two opposite sections of the first transverse rod to one another. Such a tension rod or such tension rods can secure the inner container against falling out of the lattice structure and also increase the bursting strength. The tension rod is also preferably screwed to the transverse rod.

The longitudinal rods are preferably fixed relative to one another by at least one, preferably a plurality of circumferential transverse rods, the transverse rods being in particular screwed to the longitudinal rods. Such transverse rods can further increase the stability of the lattice structure.

An embodiment of the invention is explained in detail with reference to the following figures. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment example of a container according to the invention with a metal inner container and a lattice structure;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the inner container of the container according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a further perspective view of the inner container of the container according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows a further perspective view of the inner container of the container according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment example of a container 10 according to the invention with a metal inner container 20 and a lattice structure 30, FIGS. 2 to 4 show perspective views of the inner container 20 from different viewing angles. For a better overview, not all reference numbers are given in all figures.

The inner container 20 has a wall 21 made of metal, a filling opening 22 and an outlet opening 23. The wall 21 has a wall thickness of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.8 mm, for example approximately 0.7 mm or less. The wall 21 can be made of stainless steel, in particular of an austenitic steel or an austenitic alloy.

The volume of the inner container 20 can comprise 300 l or more, for example up to 3000 l, and is for example 1000 l.

The inner container 20 in particular comprises a bottom side 20 a, a cover side 20 b and in particular four side walls 20 c, which connect the bottom side 20 a and the cover side 20 b to one another. In particular, this results in an approximately cuboidal inner container 20. The inner container 20 can have a width b, a depth t and a height h, which each amount to approximately 1 m, for example, so that a volume of approximately 1000 l results.

The filling opening 22 is arranged in particular in the cover side 20 b, which lies at the top when used as intended. The filling opening 22 can be closed with a cover 27 (see FIG. 1). For example, a flange ring 22 a (see FIG. 2) is arranged, preferably welded, on the filling opening 22, to which ring the cover 27 can be fastened, for example by means of a clamping ring 27 a. The filling opening 22 can be arranged in a section 20 b-1 of the cover side 20 b, which is arranged set back inwards, so that the cover 27 does not protrude beyond the outer surface of the remaining section of the cover side 20 b. The cover 27 can have a curvature to increase pressure resistance.

The outlet opening 23 is arranged in particular in the bottom side 20 a, which lies at the bottom when used as intended (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The outlet opening 23 in particular comprises an outlet tap 26, which can close and open the outlet opening 23. For this purpose a pivoting lever 26 a can for example be provided. In order to enable the inner container 20 to be emptied as completely as possible, an outlet recess 25, in which the outlet opening 23 is arranged, is preferably arranged in the bottom side 20 a. The outlet recess 25 can be designed, for example, as a channel which widens conically toward the outlet opening 23 and is formed by two upstands 25 a, 25 b. The outlet recess 25 can extend over a large part of the depth t of the inner container 20, for example over 50% of the depth t or more. The outlet tap 26 can be set back in the wall 21 of the inner container 20 (see in particular FIG. 1), so that it does not protrude and is arranged to be protected against damage.

The lattice structure 30 comprises a plurality of rods 32, 34, 35, 36 and can comprise a bottom element 31. The bottom element 31 can be designed as a pallet, in particular as a transport pallet, for example as a standardized transport pallet such as the Europool pallet. The bottom element 31 can have a bearing surface for the inner container 20, which comprises at least several partial bearing surfaces or is even designed as a continuous bearing surface in order to be able to reliably support the weight of a filled inner container 20. The bottom element can have a recess 31 a, in which the outlet recess 25 of the inner container 20 can be arranged in particular in a form-fitting manner

The lattice structure 30 can be formed adjacent to the outer surface of the inner container 20. In particular, the lattice structure 30, like the inner container 20, is cuboid.

At least two, for example three to five, in the embodiment example shown four, longitudinal rods 32 can be arranged on the bottom element 31 on each side, which in particular has a rectangular base area. The longitudinal rods 32 have a first end 32 a and a second end 32 b and are arranged with their first end 32 a on the bottom element 31, for example by means of a screw connection. The screw connections are in particular arranged in such a way that they are not arranged to protrude outwards. The longitudinal rods 32 are fixed relative to one another at their second end 32b by a circumferential first transverse rod 34, the first transverse rod 34 being in particular screwed to the longitudinal rods 32. The first transverse rod 34 encloses an upper side 30 aof the lattice structure 30.

Through this upper side 30 a, the inner container 20 can be inserted into the lattice structure 30 during the manufacture of the container 10. Subsequently, at least one, in the present case two tension rods 36, which connect two opposite sections 34 a, 34 c of the first transverse rod 34 to one another, can be arranged on the transverse rod 34. The connection is preferably realized by a screw connection. The tension rods 36 can in particular be arranged to extend over the recessed section 20 b-1 of the cover side 20 b. When the inner container 20 expands, this enables the steps of the recessed section 20 b-1 to be supported on the tension rods 36.

In addition to the first transverse rod 34, the lattice structure 30 can have one or more, in the present case three, further transverse rods 35, which fix the longitudinal rods 32 around the circumference between the first end 32 a and the second end 32 b and are connected to them in particular by screw connections.

The production of the lattice structure 30 by means of screw connections enables production without deformation. In addition, the inner container 20 can be replaced in a simple manner if necessary. The screw connections can have mechanical safeguards against unscrewing. Alternatively, an adhesive securing is conceivable.

The bottom element 31 can be made of metal, wood or plastic. The rods 32, 34, 35, 36 can be made of metal, for example ferritic steel or austenite and then galvanized, or plastic, for example high-strength plastic. The rods 32, 34, 35, 36 have a diameter of less than 3 cm, preferably less than 3 cm.

One, preferably a plurality of beads 24 can be arranged in the wall 21 of the inner container 20, in particular in the side walls 20 c of the inner container 20. The beads 24 are preferably arranged in such a way that when the inner container 20 expands, one of the longitudinal rods 32 can come to rest at least in sections in one of the beads 24. The beads 24 can be arranged to extend over the entire height h of the inner container 20. The beads 24 can also provide space for the screw connections.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 container -   20 inner container -   21 wall -   20 abottom side -   20 b cover side -   20 b-1 section -   20 c side wall -   22 filling opening -   23 outlet opening -   24 bead -   25 outlet recess -   25 a upstand -   25 b upstand -   26 outlet tap -   26 a pivoting lever -   27 cover -   27 a clamping ring -   30 lattice structure -   31 bottom element -   31 a recess -   32 longitudinal rod -   32 a first end -   32 b second end -   34 first transverse rod -   34 a section -   34 c section -   35 transverse rod -   36 tension rod -   b width -   h height -   t depth 

1. A container (10) for liquids or free-flowing materials, with an inner container (20) with a wall (21) made of metal, a filling opening (22) and an outlet opening (23), wherein the wall (21) of the inner container (20) has a wall thickness of less than 1 mm and the inner container (20) is enclosed by a lattice structure (30) comprising rods (32, 34, 35, 36).
 2. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that that the wall thickness of the inner container (20) is less than 0.8 mm, preferably approximately 0.7 mm or less.
 3. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall (21) of the inner container (20) is made of stainless steel, in particular of an austenitic steel or an austenitic alloy.
 4. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall (21) of the inner container (20) has at least one bead (24), in which a rod (32, 34, 35, 36) of the lattice structure (30) is arrangeable.
 5. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner container (20) is formed with a bottom side (20 a), a cover side (20 b) and in particular four side walls (20 c), the filling opening (22) in particular being arranged in the cover side (20 b) and the outlet opening (23) in the bottom side (20 a).
 6. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that an outlet recess (25), in which the outlet opening (23) is arranged, is arranged in the bottom side (20 a).
 7. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet opening (23) comprises an outlet tap (26), in particular with a pivoting lever (26 a).
 8. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet tap (26) is set back in the wall (21) of the inner container (20).
 9. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the volume of the inner container is 500 l to 3000 l.
 10. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the lattice structure (30) is approximately cuboid.
 11. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the lattice structure (30) has a bottom element (31) which is designed in particular as a pallet.
 12. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom element (31) has a recess (31 a), in which the outlet recess (25) of the inner container (20) is arranged in particular in a form-fitting manner.
 13. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two, for example three to five, longitudinal rods (32) are arranged on the bottom element (31) on each side, and are arranged with a first end (32 a) on the bottom element (31), in particular screwed to it.
 14. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal rods (32) are fixed relative to one another at a second end (32 b) by a circumferential first transverse rod (34), wherein the first transverse rod (34) is in particular screwed to the longitudinal rods (32).
 15. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that parallel to the bottom element (31) at least one, preferably two or more, tension rod(s) (36) connect(s) two opposite sections (34 a, 34 c) of the first transverse rod (34) to one another.
 16. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal rods (32) are fixed relative to one another by at least one, preferably a plurality of circumferential transverse rods (35), the transverse rods (35) being in particular screwed to the longitudinal rods (32). 